Sports / Football

Ronaldo returns to boost Portugal World Cup hopes 08 Jun 2014 - 01:21 am

FLORHAM PARK, United States: Cristiano Ronaldo handed Portugal a huge boost yesterday as he returned to training after leg injuries that had threatened...

FIFA finds a field of dreams in China 08 Jun 2014 - 01:21 am

ZIBO, China: Images of a beaming FIFA President Sepp Blatter and a small blue certificate in the Chinese city of Zibo proclaim it...

Japan edge Zambia 4-3 in last warm-up 08 Jun 2014 - 01:21 am

TAMPA: Yoshito Okubo netted the winning goal in stoppage time to give bloodied Japan a 4-3 victory over Zambia on Friday in the...

Coach Scolari defends hosts after close win 08 Jun 2014 - 01:20 am

SAO PAULO: Luiz Felipe Scolari defended his team’s World Cup preparations after sections of the crowd booed his players during a labored 1-0...

Gerrard revels in captaincy 08 Jun 2014 - 01:18 am

MIAMI: Steven Gerrard will captain England at a World Cup for the second time but believes Brazil will be the first tournament he...

France campaign jolted as Ribery ruled out of Cup 07 Jun 2014 - 01:43 am

Franck Ribery (left) looks on next to France’s head coach Didier Deschamps before a team group photo at the French national football team’s...

Messi seeks ultimate prize with World Cup triumph in Brazil 07 Jun 2014 - 01:41 am

A sculpture of Argentinian national soccer player Lionel Messi displayed at the Recoleta neighbourhood in Buenos Aires, Argentina yesterday. Argentina paid tribute to...

Full-strength Brazil to show Serbia no mercy 07 Jun 2014 - 01:39 am

RIO DE JANEIRO: Brazil coach Luiz Felipe Scolari is poised to unleash a full-strength side on Serbia as the World Cup hosts wrap...

England seek help for World Cup mind games 07 Jun 2014 - 01:39 am

LONDON: Portugal have Cristiano Ronaldo as their clinical penalty marksman, but if England are thrust into another World Cup sudden death clash their...

Attack on Qatar racist: OCA chief 06 Jun 2014 - 07:34 am

Sheikh Ahmed Al Fahad Al Sabah, President of Association of National Olympic Committees and Olympic Council of Asia. DOHA: Sheikh Ahmed Al Fahad...

Two sent off as England held by battling Ecuador 06 Jun 2014 - 07:33 am

MIAMI: An experimental England side gave a decent performance in a 2-2 draw with Ecuador who equalised through a superb strike by substitute...

Messi kept scoreless in Argentina warm-up win 06 Jun 2014 - 07:32 am

BUENOS AIRES: Lionel Messi, looking to score his first World Cup goals since 2006 in Brazil this month, went scoreless as Argentina cruised...

Every World Cup player to have drug test 05 Jun 2014 - 12:03 pm

Switzerland’s defender Fabian Schaer (centre) falls during a friendly football match against Peru, in Lucerne, central Switzerland, yesterday, ahead of the upcoming FIFA...

Easy win for Brazil in warm-up 05 Jun 2014 - 12:02 pm

Ecuador national football team players strech during a training session at Miami Sun Life Stadium in Miami Gardens, Florida, yesterday. RIGHT: Neymar of...

Three players to add QSL flavour in World Cup 05 Jun 2014 - 11:12 am

DOHA: As many as three players from the prestigious Qatar Stars League will be featuring in the upcoming World Cup in Brazil. Al...

Kennedy, Wilkshire and Rogic cut from final Socceroos squad 04 Jun 2014 - 01:21 am

Germany goalkeeper Manuel Neuer (right) trains with fitness coach Shad Forsythe during an individual training session in Munich, Germany, yesterday. Neuer trains on...

Chelsea salute Lampard’s momentous career 04 Jun 2014 - 01:17 am

England’s Frank Lampard takes part in a training session at the Sunlife Stadium in Miami, Florida, yesterday. England are in Florida for warm...

Emphatic victory for Japan 04 Jun 2014 - 01:15 am

Japan’s Samurai Blue’s Shinji Kagawa dribbles the ball during a friendly match against Costa Rica in Tampa, Florida yesterday. TAMPA: Manchester United striker...